Gardening Expert with 3 Decades of Experience Shares Top 8 Outdoor Annual Plants Essential for Every Garden
In the pursuit of creating stunning garden masterpieces, selecting the right annual plants can make all the difference. Here are some top favourites that thrive in various conditions, each with its unique characteristics and care instructions:
1. **Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)**
These easy-to-grow flowers are available in a variety of colours, including red, pink, violet, orange, and lavender blue. Ideal for adding colour to less sunny spots, impatiens are a perfect choice for shaded areas.
- Care: Plant in well-drained soil with partial shade. Keep the soil moist, especially during the first few weeks after planting. Regular watering and occasional fertiliser can enhance blooming.
2. **Salvia**
Known for their vibrant spikes of flowers, salvias attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. These robust plants can grow up to 6 feet tall and are perfect for flower arrangements.
- Care: Plant in full sun with well-drained soil. Water regularly but avoid overwatering. Prune occasionally to maintain shape and promote blooming.
3. **Annual Vinca (Periwinkle)**
This compact plant is great for ground cover and tolerates heat and drought. It blooms until the first frost and self-seeds for future growth.
- Care: Plant in full sun with well-drained soil. Water sparingly as it is drought-tolerant. Regularly clean up dead flowers to encourage new blooms.
4. **Lantana**
A vibrant shrub with clusters of flowers in various colours, lantana thrives in full sun and slightly acidic soil.
- Care: Plant in a dedicated area to prevent it from spreading. Water regularly but avoid overwatering. Prune after the first bloom to encourage continuous flowering.
5. **Marigold**
Known for its bright yellow, orange, and gold flowers, marigold is a popular choice for sunny spots. It can grow up to 6 feet tall and self-seeds easily.
- Care: Plant in full sun with moist, neutral soil. Water regularly, increasing frequency during the first few weeks. Pinch off first buds and deadhead frequently for continuous blooms.
6. **Cornflower**
These flowers add a pop of blue to gardens and can grow up to 2 feet tall when planted in full sun.
- Care: Plant after the last spring frost. They prefer well-drained soil and minimal care. Water occasionally and trim back after blooming to encourage new growth.
Other annual plants that deserve a spotlight include:
- **Teddy Bear Sunflower**: This unique sunflower produces small, double-flowered heads that resemble teddy bears. It thrives in full sun and prefers well-draining soil. Its fuzzy petals resemble a plush toy's fabric, and it grows about knee high. - **Caladium**: Although it doesn't have blooms, caladium's heart-shaped leaves come in various colours and patterns. It thrives in bright, indirect light and requires moist soil. - **Coleus**: Known for its colorful and variegated foliage, coleus thrives in partial shade and prefers well-draining soil. - **Begonia**: A classic annual flower, begonia is ideal for slightly shaded or low light areas of the garden. There are tuberous, wax leaf, and painted leaf varieties of begonias. They are considered self-cleaning and do not require deadheading to look tidy. Begonias prefer bright, indirect light and moist (but not soggy) soil. - **Tassel Flower**: Native to Asia, Australia, Africa, and coastal nations, this plant features tiny flowers that resemble makeup brushes in colors like orange, red, and lavender. The stems are slender and topped with clusters of tufted blooms, and the plant prefers slightly acidic soil that drains well. - **African Daisy**: This annual plant produces daisy-like flowers in various colours, including yellow, orange, and red. It thrives in full sun and prefers well-draining soil. - **Canna**: A type of annual plant that produces large, bright flowers in colours like red, yellow, and orange, canna lily plants have exotic flowers that require full sun and regular moisture. Remove spent blooms to improve the appearance of the plant.
When purchasing annual plants for containers or planting in the ground, it's essential to inspect the container and ensure that the roots are visible through the drainage holes, with a few roots being a sign of a robust root system. The roots should not be tangled and grown into the pot. When planting in the ground, remove roots, rocks, and weeds from the site prior to planting. Gently fluff up the roots and spread them out in a hole that has been dug just a bit larger than the root ball. Backfill and water the soil to settle it around the roots. Wait a few days before adding fertilizer to let the outdoor annual plants get used to their surroundings.
Remember to choose plants that fit your local climate and soil conditions for the best results. Happy gardening!
[1] Source: Gardening Know How [2] Source: The Spruce [3] Source: Better Homes & Gardens
Incorporating annuals in your home-and-garden can enhance your lifestyle by adding vibrant colors and interesting textures to your outdoor spaces. For example, the Impatiens, with its variety of colors and preference for shaded areas, is perfect for sprucing up your home-and-garden lifestyle. Additionally, salvias with their towering height and pollinator appeal are ideal for creating rustic home-and-garden masterpieces.
